Rotel RA-02 or Audio Refinement Complete ?

I've owned both the Rotel RA-01, which is the same amp as the RA-02 without remote control, and the Audio Refinement Complete. I think the Rotel is a wonderful amp for the money and has a few bells and whistles you might find useful, like outputs for two pair of speakers. It's also very compact and nice looking.

I do prefer the sound of the ARC, though. It seems smoother and more refined and holds together bettter at higher volume. It's definitely a big step up from the Rotel and easily worth the $150 extra. It's one of those pieces of gear that can stay in your system a long time as you upgrade around it.

I can vouch for the Rotel. It's only rated at 40w into 8 ohms, but one review measured 90w at clipping, so it's got quite a bit of headroom. I don't know the other one, but I see nothing in its specs that would particularly recommend it over the Rotel.

I've owned an Audio Refinement Complete and Rotel RA-1060 integrated amp. The Audio Refinement amp had a real classy feel to it while the Rotel seemed very utilitarian. As far as sound goes, the Audio Refinement is one of the few components I regretted selling.

I haven't heard the Rotel, but can vouch for the Audio Refinement, as I've owned it four times, and still regret selling it..

Hello, I just searched the 2 amp in and found out that the Rotel was made in 2002, whereas the ARC in 1999, does it matter? or the technology is greater in the Rotel because it is most recently betwwen the two?

thanks, have a nice day !